Yoga Stick (Danda)

Yoga Danda, also known as Yoga staff is a special T - shaped wooden stick that is mainly used by yogis from ancient times for meditation purposes. This ancient meditation tool when supported under the armpits, regulate the breathing, hence often used prior to Pranayama or meditation. It offers a convenient way to alter breath flow between nostrils and help gaining the maximum out of Pranayama techniques, especially those requiring alternate nostril breathing, such as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama. This danda is used to create a balance between Ida nadi (mental energy) and Pingala nadi (physical energy), and ease the flow of Sushumna nadi (spiritual energy).

Use of Yoga Danda
The Yoga Danda is a T-shaped wooden staff which is usually 2 feet in height and has a U shaped bent in its horizontal part to provide a comfortable support to the armpit.

To use Yoga danda sit on the floor in any meditative posture such as Siddhasana, Sukhasana or Padmasana with your spine straight. Support your torso on the Yoga Danda by resting your armpit on the U-shaped horizontal member of the staff. The Danda should be  placed under the side that has the open nostril. For example, if the flow is free on the right nostril, support your right armpit on the Yoga danda. After a few minutes, you will feel the flow of breath easier through other nostril, the left nostril. Once you achieved the balanced flow you can remove the Yoga danda. The stick can also be used to rest arm while rotating mala beads.  
 
This excellent Meditation tool has been used by yogis as it assists in one's spiritual practice. The wandering yogis used this stick as a vital complement to their yogic practices. It has a great symbolic value, when viewed straight on, it resembles a spinal column descending from the shoulders of a human being. In spiritual terms, this is known as the Meru Danda, or the cosmic pillar that is the center of the Universe. The yoga danda is supposed to remind us that wherever we are is the center of the universe - and that is within us, the spinal column up which rises the Kundalini Shakti - the creative power of the universe.